Methods of stimulating immune response in certain individuals

Abstract

Methods to stimulate host immune system against viral infections are disclosed. Methods to stimulate immune response of a virally, influenza or cancer infected individual through an immunomodifier such as a non-nucleoside imidazoquinolinamine (heterocyclic amine) are disclosed.

1 . A method of stimulating an immune response in an individual affected with influenza, the method comprising: 
 providing an imidazoquinolinamine formulation;    disposing an amount of the imidazoquinolinamine formulation into a first naris of a virally infected individual; and    covering at least a portion of an internal surface of the individual's first naris with a portion of the amount of imidazoquinolinamine in said first naris;    wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation is applied within 12 hours after an appearance of first symptoms.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 disposing a second amount of the imidazoquinolinamine formulation into a second naris of the virally infected individual; and    covering at least a portion of an internal surface of the individual's second naris with a second portion of the second amount of imidazoquinolinamine in said second naris.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation's active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of imiquimod and resiquimod.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation is disposed using a device selected from the group consisting of a swab, syringe, spray nozzle, and a drip applicator.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation comprises imiquimod as an active ingredient in the amount of about 12 mg.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation comprises resiquimod as an active ingredient in the amount equivalent to about 12 mg of imiquimod.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation is selected from a group consisting of a cream, gel, liquid, paste, aerosol, and an emulsion.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein about 15 minutes prior to disposing the imidazoquinolinamine formulation, the first nare is treated with a decongestant.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the decongestant is Neosynepherine.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the imidazoquinolinamine formulation every twelve hours until relief from cold symptoms is obtained.  
     
     
         11 . A method of stimulating an immune response in an individual affected with a cancer, the method comprising: 
 providing an imidazoquinolinamine formulation;    disposing an amount of the imidazoquinolinamine formulation into a first naris of a virally infected individual; and    covering at least a portion of the internal surface of the individual's first naris with a portion of the amount of imidazoquinolinamine in said naris.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the cancer is lung cancer.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the cancer is bronchogenic carcinoma.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the cancer is bronchoalveolar carcinoma.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the cancer is nasal type natural killer T cell lymphoma.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation's active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of imiquimod and resiquimod.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation is disposed using a device selected from the group consisting of a swab, syringe, spray nozzle, and a drip applicator.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation comprises imiquimod as an active ingredient in the amount of about 12 mg.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation comprises resiquimod as an active ingredient in the amount of about 12 mg.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation is selected from a group consisting of a cream, gel, liquid, paste, aerosol, and an emulsion.